Undergarment



5 NW N m m N mm m ,7 V T U N N 3 1U A H N E H H H SMITH UNDERGARMENT Filed July 6, 1940 Egg: 2.

April 27, 1943.

Patented Apr. 27, 1943 UNITED STATES PTENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

This invention relates to undergarments and the like and more particularly to a supporting garment intended to be worn next to the body.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a garment of the character indicated which will permit complete freedom of movement and, at the same time, afford adequate support without any discomfort.

Another object is to provide a garment which will give firm support to hypersensitive and weak back-s without irritation or rubbing on the nerves.

Other objects and advantages inherent in'the invention will become apparent as the specification proceeds and when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing forming a preferred embodiment thereof.

In the drawing:

Figur 1 is a front elevation of the garment according to the invention.

Figur 2 is a back View thereof.

People afliicted with ailments, such as arteriosclerosis, heart ailments, and gall bladder aiiiiction, become very sensitive to pressure or rubbing; consequently, they cannot wear the conventional girdles or undergarments as they will rub on the sensitive nerves. The particular purpose of this invention is, therefore, to produce a garment for people suffering from such ailments.

This purpose may be accomplished by making the garment of a single piece and from soft material, preferably knitted, and in which supporting portions of similar soft material are embodied.

Referring in greater detail to the drawing, the garment consists of a single piece having leg members Ill and a body portion ll. The body portion may be equipped with sleeves l2. These portions of the garment are made of soft fabrics, such as rayon or silk.

The body portion It has inserts l3 which are shaped to act as a brassiere. It will be understood that, in view of the sensitiveness of persons for whom this garment is intended, the conventional brassiere cannot be used. This insert is made of a slightly heavier ribbed fabric, preferably knitted, which renders it resilient and conforming to the bust. This insert extends upward from the waist. The ribs run longitudinally of the garment in order to give the bust a firmer support.

The flexible girdle portion I4 extends from the brassire inserts I3 downward across the abdomen and hips. This girdle portion is provided with flaps I5. These flaps extend in a curved fashion from the brassiere inserts and decrease in width toward their ends in a tapering fashion. Thus, when these flaps are crossed on the back, as shown in Figure 2 of the drawing, the edges will incline downwardly and upwardly, respectively. In this manner, support will be provided for the hips and the bust without exerting pressure upon the protruding vertebrae in this region, the sensitiveness of which is characteristic of people sufiering from arteriosclerosis. Further, the overlapping feature of the flaps provides a padding effect and. thus gives the wearer added protection against irritation or rubbing of the back nerves and spine.

The girdle portion is preferably made of a ribbed, knitted fabric somewhat heavier than the brassiere insert in order to afford a firmer support.

The ends of the flaps are attached to the edge seams of the garment by stitches or some other means and do not irritate the nerves.

It will be understood that this description is given by way of example only and not by way of limitation.

The invention may lend itself to a variety of expressions within the scope of the following claim:

What is claimed is:

An undergarment for cardiac, sclerosis and gall bladder patients and the like embodying a girdle having a flexible and resilient front girdle portion of a form and size to extend over the abdomen and hips of the wearer, and a pair of flaps attached at their inner ends to and extending from the sides of said girdle portion, each of the flaps being of a Width at its attached end to extend vertically along an entire hip of the wearer and being of a length adapting it to be extended across the girdle from side to side thereof and attached at its free end thereto adjacent the other hip of the wearer, whereby said flap-s may be extended in opposite directions and in overlapping relation across the back to provide a protective padding for the lower part of the back of the wearer. I

HELEN HUNTERSMITH. 

